Why you can easily skip the new Joker movie

As a fan of the first ‘Joker’, I was really looking forward to it: ‘Joker: Folie À Deux’, the sequel to the successful film from 2019. So of course I went to the cinema right away on opening weekend. Well, I probably shouldn't have done that. The film was everything I didn't expect, but not in a positive way.

‘Joker’

The original ‘Joker’ was a huge success. It grossed over 1 billion dollars worldwide and even earned lead actor Joaquin Phoenix his first Oscar. The film tells the story of Arthur Fleck (Phoenix), a failing comedian who is ostracized by society and ends up on a criminal path as his alter ego Joker. The second part ‘Joker: Folie À Deux’ picks up where part 1 left off. A small spoiler, in this film Arthur is imprisoned for his actions and must face the judge. Lady Gaga plays his girlfriend Lee Quinzel, better known as Harley Quinn. While in the first version we mainly got to know the alter ego Joker and saw how his hostility with Batman began, the focus is now fully back on Arthur himself and his psychological problems.

The problem

So what is the biggest ‘problem’? The film has transformed from a psychological thriller with a lot of action into a musical. Yes, I didn't see that coming either. Director Todd Phillips doesn't actually call it that; according to him, it's a film in which people sing. Well, if that's your angle, there are indeed a lot of songs in it. While I can really appreciate a good musical, I can dream ‘Mamma Mia’, it doesn't fit here. ‘Joker’ is a story about a tormented man trapped in his mind, not one who suddenly bursts into song. Many viewers share that criticism. The reviews are quite negative and social media is filled with complaining people. Some even walk out of the theater. That also leads to low earnings. In the opening weekend, the film made ‘only’ 40 million dollars. For comparison, part 1 scored more than double with 96 million.

Still one plus point

The musical element is not the only downside; the storyline could have been better as well. You follow the entire film (2 hours and 18 minutes) the trial and everything around it. But for the fact that they take so long for it, it remains superficial and messy. Just when you think you're going to dive deeper, a new song starts. Away goes the credibility. Also, many storylines from the first part, such as that of Batman, do not return. Still, I have to give compliments to Phoenix and Gaga. Their performances are good and the singing, despite the irritation it caused, is also good.

As a film lover, I don't say this lightly, but I would skip this one. It saves you a lot of time and money. It's a shame though.

Image: Warner Bros. Pictures